Rolling bearing device

ABSTRACT

A lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a raceway groove of an inner ring is fixed to an outer ring. The lubricant supply unit is provided with a first and second radially separated electrodes used to supply electric power from an external power source to the micropump. Each of the first and second radially separated electrodes is fixed to an outer face of a tank that is stationary relative to the micropump so as to be exposed on the outside of the lubricant supply unit. The first radially separated electrode is arranged so as to be apart from the second radially separated electrode.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This is a Division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/188,189, filed Feb.24, 2014, which claims priority to JP2013-040824, filed Mar. 1, 2013.The prior applications, including the specification, drawings andabstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a rolling bearing device including a firstbearing ring, a second bearing ring, rolling elements, and a pump thatsupplies lubricant.

A conventional rolling bearing device of this type is described inJapanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-102803 (JP 2012-102803A). The rolling bearing device includes a ball bearing, a tank, a pump,and a battery. The tank stores grease. The tank has a discharge port.The pump sucks in the grease from the tank and discharges the greasefrom the discharge port.

The pump is operated by electric power from the battery. In the rollingbearing device, the grease stored in the tank is moved to the dischargeport and the grease is discharged to a raceway surface of an outer ring.In this way, sliding portions are lubricated.

In the rolling bearing device, the pump is operated by the electricpower from the battery. Therefore, if the battery capacity is increased,the size of the rolling bearing device is inevitably increased. If theelectric power for the pump is generated by a generator to avoid theincrease in the size of the rolling bearing device, the reliability ofelectric power supply is not high in the present circumstances.Therefore, an improvement in the reliability of the electric powersupply is absolutely necessary.

On the other hand, if the electric power for the pump is supplied froman external power source, a wire extending over the rolling bearingdevice and a housing, to which the rolling bearing device is fixed, isrequired. However, when a work for fixing the rolling bearing device tothe housing is performed, the wire obstructs smooth fixation of therolling bearing device to the housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide a compact rolling bearingdevice that is configured such that electric power is reliably suppliedto a pump and that is easily attached to a housing.

An aspect of the invention relates to a rolling bearing deviceincluding: a first bearing ring having an inner periphery racewaysurface; a second bearing ring having an outer periphery racewaysurface; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the innerperiphery raceway surface of the first bearing ring and the outerperiphery raceway surface of the second bearing ring; and a lubricantsupply unit having at least a tank and a pump that supplies lubricant toat least one of the inner periphery raceway surface of the first bearingring, the outer periphery raceway surface of the second bearing ring,and the rolling elements. The lubricant supply unit has one or moreelectrodes to which electric power is supplied from an external powersource, and a part of the lubricant supply unit is fixed to one memberout of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. Each of theone or more electrodes is fixed to the one member or the tank of thelubricant supply unit, the tank being stationary relative to the pump,in a state where each of the one or more electrodes is exposed on anoutside of the one member or the tank of the lubricant supply unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further features and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description of example embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals areused to represent like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a first embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic sectional view illustrating part of theball bearing device in FIG. 1, the part being part of a lubricant supplyunit illustrated in a lower half part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a second embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a third embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a seventh embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to an eighth embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a first embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device.

The ball bearing device includes an outer ring 1, which may function asa first bearing ring, an inner ring 2, which may function as a secondbearing ring, a plurality of balls 3, which may function as a pluralityof rolling elements, and a lubricant supply unit 4. The outer ring 1 mayfunction as one member out of the first bearing ring and the secondbearing ring. The outer ring 1 is fixed to a housing 10, which is as anexample of a fixed member (a member to which the outer ring 1 is fixed).

Specifically, the housing 10 has a large-diameter cylindrical innerperiphery portion 35 and a small-diameter cylindrical inner peripheryportion 36. The inner diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical innerperiphery portion 35 is larger than the inner diameter of thesmall-diameter cylindrical inner periphery portion 36. The housing 10has a step portion 30 that extends radially inward from thelarge-diameter cylindrical inner periphery portion 35. Thelarge-diameter cylindrical inner periphery portion 35 is connected tothe small-diameter cylindrical inner periphery portion 36 via the stepportion 30. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral face of theouter ring 1 is fixed to the large-diameter cylindrical inner peripheryportion 35. One axial side end face 16 of the outer ring 1 is in contactwith the step portion 30. In this way, the outer ring 1 is fixed to thehousing 10. The axial end face of the step portion 30 constitutes theaxial end face of the fixed member. The one axial side end face 16 ofthe outer ring 1 constitutes a positioning face of the one member.

The outer ring 1 has, in its inner periphery, an angular raceway groove11, which may function as an inner periphery raceway surface. The heightof one shoulder portion, which is located on one axial side of theraceway groove 11, is greater than the height of the other shoulderportion, which is located on the other axial side of the raceway groove11. The outer ring 1 has a unit fixation recessed portion 13. The unitfixation recessed portion 13 is located on the opposite side of the oneshoulder portion from the raceway groove 11 in the axial direction. Theunit fixation recessed portion 13 is opened inward in the radialdirection and also opened toward the one side in the axial direction.

The inner ring 2 is fixedly fitted onto a rotary shaft (notillustrated). The inner ring 2 has, in its outer periphery, a racewaygroove 21, which may function as an outer periphery raceway surface, anda recessed portion 23. The recessed portion 23 is located on one axialside of the raceway groove 21 so as to be apart from the raceway groove21 in the axial direction. The recessed portion 23 is opened outward inthe radial direction and also opened toward the one side in the axialdirection. The recessed portion 23 overlaps with the unit fixationrecessed portion 13 in the radial direction.

The balls 3 are held between the raceway groove 11 of the outer ring 1and the raceway groove 21 of the inner ring 2 by a cage 6, and arrangedat intervals in the circumferential direction. The lubricant supply unit4 has a generally rectangular shape in the sectional view illustrated inFIG. 1. The lubricant supply unit 4 has an annular shape. The lubricantsupply unit 4 has a cylindrical outer peripheral face 40, and thecylindrical outer peripheral face 40 is fixedly fitted to thecylindrical inner peripheral face of the unit fixation recessed portion13.

Although not illustrated, the cylindrical inner peripheral face of theunit fixation recessed portion 13 has, at a given position in the axialdirection, an engagement recessed portion having a prescribed depth inthe radial direction. The cylindrical outer peripheral face 40 of thelubricant supply unit 4 has, at a given position in the axial direction,an engagement projected portion having a prescribed height in the radialdirection. The depth of the engagement recessed portion in the radialdirection is substantially equal to the height of the engagementprojected portion in the radial direction. By engaging the engagementprojected portion with the engagement recessed portion, the lubricantsupply unit 4 is reliably fixed to the outer ring 1. It is needless tosay that an engagement projected portion may be formed on thecylindrical inner peripheral face of the unit fixation recessed portion13 and an engagement recessed portion may be formed in the cylindricalouter peripheral face of the lubricant supply unit 4 and the engagementprojected portion of the unit fixation recessed portion 13 may beengaged with the engagement recessed portion of the lubricant supplyunit 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lubricant supply unit 4 is provided with afirst radially separated electrode 50 and a second radially separatedelectrode 51. Each of the first radially separated electrode 50 and thesecond radially separated electrode 51 is fixed to one axial side endface 53 of the lubricant supply unit 4 so as to protrude in the axialdirection from the one axial side end face 53. The first radiallyseparated electrode 50 is located apart from the second radiallyseparated electrode 51 in the radial direction of the outer ring 1. Thefirst radially separated electrode 50 is an anode, and the secondradially separated electrode 51 is a cathode. The first radiallyseparated electrode 50 and the second radially separated electrode 51are provided to supply electric power to a micropump 71 (describedlater) from an external power source.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 60, 61 denote external electrodes on thepower source side, which are fixed to the housing 10 so as to beimmovable relative to the housing 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in astate where the one axial side end face 16 of the outer ring 1 is incontact with the step portion 30, the first external electrode 60 is incontact with the first radially separated electrode 50 and the secondexternal electrode 61 is in contact with the second radially separatedelectrode 51. Each of the first and second external electrodes 60, 61has an annular shape. With this configuration, even if the outer ring 1moves in the circumferential direction relative to the housing 10, thefirst external electrode 60 and the first radially separated electrode50 are kept in contact with each other and the second external electrode61 and the second radially separated electrode 51 are kept in contactwith each other.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic sectional view illustrating part of theball bearing device in FIG. 1, the part being part of the lubricantsupply unit 4 illustrated in a lower half part of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lubricant supply unit 4 includes a tank 70and the micropump 71 having a driven portion. The tank 70 is formed of ahollow annular member that stores lubricating oil. Note that the tank 70may be a non-annular member that is installed in a prescribed angularrange in the circumference direction.

The micropump 71 is a diaphragm pump. The micropump 71 includes apiezoelectric element 72, a diaphragm 73, which serves as the drivenportion, and a discharge nozzle 78. The discharge nozzle 78 is directedto a position near one end of the raceway groove 21 of the inner ring 2and the balls 3.

The electric power from the external power source is supplied to thepiezoelectric element 72 through the first radially separated electrode50 and the second radially separated electrode 51 to drive thepiezoelectric element 72. The diaphragm 73 is pulled and pushed by thepiezoelectric element 72 to suck in the lubricating oil from the tank 70into a pump chamber 75 and discharge the sucked lubricating oil from thedischarge nozzle 78. In this way, the lubricating oil from the tank 70is supplied to the position near the raceway groove 21 of the inner ring2 and the balls 3, by a minute amount each time.

Referring again to FIG. 1, dashed lines 80 extending in the up-downdirection in FIG. 1 indicate that the tank 70 has an annular shape (thisapplies also to the following embodiments). A dashed line 81 extendingin the lateral direction in FIG. 1 indicates a region of a phase in thecircumferential direction, where the micropump 71 is present (thisapplies also to the following embodiments). As a base oil of thelubricating oil, any one of an ester oil, an ether oil, a fluorinatedoil, a silicone oil, and a synthetic hydrocarbon oil may be used.Examples of the lubricating oil include a fluorinated polymer oil, afluorinated polyether oil, an alkyl diphenyl ether oil, a polyphenylether oil, a polyol ester oil, and a polyalpha olefin oil. As thelubricating oil, one of these oils may be used by itself or a mixture oftwo or more of these oils may be used. Alternatively, grease may be usedinstead of the lubricating oil. In the invention, a miniature motor orthe like may be used instead of the piezoelectric element 72.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the micropump 71 has, on its side face, alubricant suction nozzle 85. The nozzle 85 is fixedly fitted in alubricant supply hole 86, which is formed in a side face of the tank 70,with a rubber tube 82 interposed between the nozzle 85 and the wall faceof the lubricant supply hole 86. In this way, the tank 70 and themicropump 71 are coupled to each other with the tank 70 and themicropump 71 communicated with each other.

Note that, in FIG. 2, the illustration of a wire for the micropump 71and the first and second radially separated electrodes 50, 51 (seeFIG. 1) is omitted. The wire for the micropump 71 is disposed so as tohardly appear outside the lubricant supply unit 4. Specifically, thefirst and second radially separated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump71 are fixed to an end face of the tank 70 of the lubricant supply unit4 so as to be immovable relative to the tank 70.

According to the first embodiment, the first and second radiallyseparated electrodes 50, 51, to which electric power for driving themicropump 71 is supplied, are fixed to the tank 70 that is stationaryrelative to the micropump 71, in a state where the first and secondradially separated electrodes 50, 51 are exposed on the outside of thetank 70 of the lubricant supply unit 4. As a result, only the electrodes50, 51 are exposed on the outside of the tank 70 of the lubricant supplyunit 4 and the wire hardly appears outside the lubricant supply unit 4.Therefore, it is possible to easily fit the ball bearing device to thehousing 10 without being obstructed by the wire, just by bringing thefirst and second radially separated electrodes 50, 51, which are exposedin a state where they are fitted to the prescribed positions of the ballbearing device, into contact with the first and second externalelectrodes 60, 61 arranged at the prescribed positions of the housing10.

According to the first embodiment, it is possible to supply the electricpower for operating the micropump 71 from the external power source. Asa result, it is possible to improve the reliability of electric powersupply, and an increase in the size of the ball bearing device due to anincrease in the battery capacity is no longer necessary.

According to the first embodiment, the radially separated electrodes 50,51 are fixed to the axial end face of the tank 70. As a result, it ispossible to easily and reliably bring the first and second radiallyseparated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71 into contact with theexternal electrodes 60, 61 disposed on the face of the housing 10, whichfaces the end face of the tank 70 in the axial direction.

According to the first embodiment, the outer ring 1 to which thelubricant supply unit 4 is fixed has the end face 16, which serves asthe positioning face that comes into contact with the housing 10 in theaxial direction. The end face 16 is located at a position apart from thefirst and second radially separated electrodes 50, 51. As a result, itis possible to bring the end face 16 into close contact with the endface of the step portion 30 of the housing 10 without a gap. Therefore,it is possible to more accurately carry out positioning of the ballbearing device. As a result, it is possible to reliably bring the firstand second external electrodes 60, 61 into contact with the first andsecond radially separated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71.

In the first embodiment, the one member is the outer ring 1, and thefirst and second radially separated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump71 are connected to the first and second external electrodes 60, 61disposed on the housing 10 to which the outer ring 1 is fixed,respectively. Alternatively, in the invention, the one member may be theinner ring, and electrodes for the pump may be connected to externalelectrodes disposed on the shaft member to which the inner ring isfixed.

In the first embodiment, each of the first and second externalelectrodes 60, 61 has an annular shape, whereas each of the first andsecond radially separated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71 has anon-annular shape. Alternatively, in the invention, each externalelectrode may have a non-annular shape, whereas each electrode for thepump may have an annular shape. In this way, the electrodes may beconfigured such that electrical connection is maintained even if theelectrodes for the pump move in the circumferential direction relativeto the external electrodes.

In the first embodiment, each of the first and second externalelectrodes 60, 61 has an annular shape, whereas each of the first andsecond radially separated electrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71 has anon-annular shape. Alternatively, in the invention, both the externalelectrodes and the electrodes for the pump may have a non-annular shape.This is because, if positioning of the one member is carried out suchthat the one member is immovable relative to the fixed member andpositioning of the pump is carried out such that the pump is immovablerelative to the one member, it is possible to reliably maintain theelectrical connection even if both the external electrodes and theelectrodes for the pump have a non-annular shape.

In the first embodiment, the lubricant supply unit 4 is fixed to theouter ring 1 by engaging the engagement recessed portion and theengagement projected portion with each other. Alternatively, in theinvention, the lubricant supply unit 4 may be fixed to the one memberwith an adhesive, or the lubricant supply unit 4 may be fixed to the onemember by press-fitting. Further alternatively, the lubricant supplyunit 4 may be fixed to the one member in such a manner that thelubricant supply unit 4 is held between a step portion and a snap ringin the axial direction, so that the lubricant supply unit 4 is immovablerelative to the one member in the axial direction. Furtheralternatively, the lubricant supply unit 4 may be fixed to the onemember with the use of a fastening member. In the invention, thelubricant supply unit 4 may be fixed to the one member in any knownmethod.

In the first embodiment, the lubricant supply unit 4 has the twoelectrodes 50, 51. Alternatively, in the invention, the lubricant supplyunit 4 may have only one electrode, and only one external electrodecorresponding to the one electrode may be provided. Furtheralternatively, in the invention, the lubricant supply unit 4 may havethree or more electrodes, and external electrodes the number of whichcorresponds to the number of the electrodes may be provided.

In the first embodiment, the first and second radially separatedelectrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71 are fixed to the tank 70 of thelubricant supply unit 4 so as to be immovable relative to the tank 70,which may function as a stationary member. Alternatively, in theinvention, at least one electrode for the micropump 71 may be providedwith an urging member that urges the electrode in one direction andfixed to the one member or the tank 70 of the lubricant supply unit 4,in a state where the position of the one electrode relative to the onemember or the tank 70 of the lubricant supply unit 4, which isstationary relative to the micropump 71, is variable. Electricalconnection may be reliably established by pressing the at least oneelectrode to the corresponding external electrode in the one direction.

This configuration may be achieved by fixing one end portion of a metalspring (formed of a coil spring, a helical spring, or the like) to theaxial end face of the one member or the tank 70 electrically connectingthe one end portion to the wire for the pump, and fixing the other endportion of the metal spring to the electrode that is guided by acylindrical guide portion or the like and prevented from moving indirections other than the one direction. In this case, it is needless tosay that the spring itself is disposed in the cylindrical guide portion.

In the first embodiment, the lubricant supply unit 4 includes themicropump 71. Alternatively, in the invention, the lubricant supply unit4 may include a common pump of which the size and other features are notrestricted, instead of the micropump 71.

In the first embodiment, the first and second external electrodes 60, 61are fixed to the housing 10. Alternatively, in the invention, theexternal electrodes may be fixed to a member that is fixed to thehousing. For example, the external electrodes may be fixed to, forexample, a spacer.

In the first embodiment, a main body of the lubricant supply unit 4 isdisposed between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 in the radialdirection. Alternatively, in the invention, part of or the entirety ofthe lubricant supply unit may be disposed in a space other than thespace between the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring in theradial direction. This configuration may be achieved by fixing a part ofthe lubricant supply unit to an axial end face of the first bearing ringwith an adhesive or the like. In addition, the micropump 71 and the tank70, which are parts of the main body of the lubricant supply unit 4, maybe removable from each other.

In the first embodiment, the nozzle 78 of the micropump 71 is directedto the raceway groove 21 of the inner ring 2 and the balls 3.Alternatively, in the invention, the nozzle of the pump may be directedto at least one of the raceway surface of the inner ring and eachrolling element and the raceway surface of the outer ring.

In the first embodiment, the ball bearing device does not include a sealmember that seals the space between the outer ring 1 and the inner ring2. Alternatively, in the invention, a seal member that seals at leastone axial side of the space between the first bearing ring and thesecond bearing ring may be provided.

In the first embodiment, the raceway groove of the outer ring 1 is theangular raceway groove 11, whereas the raceway groove of the inner ring2 is the raceway groove 21 that is not an angular raceway groove.Alternatively, in the invention, both the first bearing ring and thesecond bearing ring may have angular raceway grooves, one of the firstbearing ring and the second bearing ring may have an angular racewaygroove, or neither the first bearing ring nor the second bearing ringmay have an angular raceway groove.

In the first embodiment, one member out of the first bearing ring andthe second bearing ring is the outer ring 1, and the other member out ofthe first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is the inner ring 2.Alternatively, in the invention, one member out of the first bearingring and the second bearing ring may be the outer ring or the innerring, and the other member out of the first bearing ring and the secondbearing ring may be an intermediate ring. Further alternatively, in theinvention, one member out of the first bearing ring and the secondbearing ring may be an intermediate ring, and the other member out ofthe first bearing ring and the second bearing ring may be the outer ringor the inner ring.

In the first embodiment, the rolling elements are the balls 3.Alternatively, in the invention, the rolling elements may be cylindricalrollers, tapered rollers, convex rollers (spherical rollers), or needlerollers. Alternatively, in the rolling bearing device according to theinvention, two or more kinds of rolling elements selected from balls,cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers, and convex rollers (sphericalrollers) may be arranged in respective rows of which the numbercorresponds to the number of types of the rolling elements.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a second embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device. Note that, in the second embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the second embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the ball bearing device according to the second embodiment, amicropump of a lubricant supply unit 104 is provided with a firstcircumferentially separated electrode 150 and a second circumferentiallyseparated electrode 151. The first circumferentially separated electrode150 is located so as to be apart from the second circumferentiallyseparated electrode 151 in the circumferential direction of the outerring 1, which may function as one member.

According to the second embodiment, the first circumferentiallyseparated electrode 150 is apart from the second circumferentiallyseparated electrode 151 in the circumferential direction. As a result,it is possible to reliably prevent the first circumferentially separatedelectrode 150 and the second circumferentially separated electrode 151from being electrically connected to each other, and securely connectthe first circumferentially separated electrode 150 and the secondcircumferentially separated electrode 151 to external electrodes.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a third embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device. Note that, in the third embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the third embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the followingrespect. Electrodes 250, 251 for a micropump of a lubricant supply unit204 are fixed to an outer ring 201, which may function as one member inthe third embodiment, whereas the first and second radially separatedelectrodes 50, 51 for the micropump 71 are fixed to the tank 70 of thelubricant supply unit 4.

In the third embodiment, the lubricant supply unit 204 is fixed to theinner peripheral face of the outer ring 201 by fixing means such as anadhesive. The micropump of the lubricant supply unit 204 has the firstradially separated electrode 250 and the second radially separatedelectrode 251. The first radially separated electrode 250 is located atthe same phase (position) in the circumferential direction as the secondradially separated electrode 251. On the other hand, the first radiallyseparated electrode 250 is apart from the second radially separatedelectrode 251 in the radial direction.

Each of the first radially separated electrode 250 and the secondradially separated electrode 251 protrudes in the axial direction fromone axial side end face of the outer ring 201. Each of the firstradially separated electrode 250 and the second radially separatedelectrode 251 is fixed to the outer ring 201, in a state where the firstand second radially separated electrodes 250, 251 are exposed on theoutside of the outer ring 201. Two wires for the micropump of thelubricant supply unit 204 extend to the one axial side end face of theouter ring 201 through a passage (not illustrated) formed in the outerring 201. One wire is electrically connected to the first radiallyseparated electrode 250, and the other wire is electrically connected tothe second radially separated electrode 251.

In the third embodiment, a housing 210 has an annular step portion 230,and an annular first external electrode 260 and an annular secondexternal electrode 261 are disposed on the axial end face of the stepportion 230 so as to protrude in the axial direction from the axial endface. The position of the first external electrode 260 in the axialdirection coincides with the position of the second external electrode261 in the axial direction, and the position of the first externalelectrode 260 in the circumferential direction also coincides with theposition of the second external electrode 261 in the circumferentialdirection. Further, the first external electrode 260 is apart from thesecond external electrode 261 in the radial direction.

The outer ring 201 is pushed toward the step portion 230 of the housing210 until the first radially separated electrode 250 comes into contactwith the first external electrode 260 and the second radially separatedelectrode 251 comes into contact with the second external electrode 261.In this way, the outer ring 201 is fixed to the housing 210. Note that,in FIG. 4, a reference numeral 278 denotes a nozzle of the micropump.

According to the third embodiment, the first and second radiallyseparated electrodes 250, 251 are fixed to the outer ring 201, which mayfunction as one member that is fixed to the housing 210, which mayfunction as a fixed member. Thus, it is possible to set the positions,at which the first and second radially separated electrodes 250, 251 arepresent, closer to the housing 210 on which the first and secondexternal electrodes 260, 261 are disposed. As a result, it is possibleto electrically connect the first and second radially separatedelectrodes 250, 251 to the first and second external electrodes 260, 261more easily and reliably.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device. Note that, in the fourth embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the fourth embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, a lubricant supply unit 304 has a firstcircumferentially separated electrode 350 and a second circumferentiallyseparated electrode 351. The feature of the fourth embodiment that thefirst and second circumferentially separated electrodes 350, 351 arefixed to an outer ring 301, which may function as one member fixed to ahousing which may function as a fixed member, is the same as theabove-described feature of the third embodiment. However, the fourthembodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the two electrodes350, 351 are not separated not in the radial direction but in thecircumferential direction.

In the fourth embodiment as well as in the third embodiment, it ispossible to set the positions, at which the first and secondcircumferentially separated electrodes 350, 351 are present, closer tothe housing. As a result, it is possible to electrically connect thefirst and second circumferentially separated electrodes 350, 351 to theexternal electrodes more easily and reliably.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device. Note that, in the fifth embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the fifth embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in the fifthembodiment, description of the same advantageous effects as those in thesecond to fourth embodiments will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the fifth embodiment, a lubricant supplyunit 404 has a rod-like electrode formed portion 415 that protrudes inthe axial direction. The lubricant supply unit 404 has a first axiallyseparated electrode 450 and a second axially separated electrode 451.Each of the first axially separated electrode 450 and the second axiallyseparated electrode 451 is fixed to the electrode formed portion 415.The first axially separated electrode 450 is apart from the secondaxially separated electrode 451 in the axial direction. As illustratedin FIG. 6, each of the first axially separated electrode 450 and thesecond axially separated electrode 451 protrudes radially outward fromthe electrode formed portion 415.

In the fifth embodiment, a housing 410 has an annular protrusion 423used for positioning. The protrusion 423 has a generally rectangularshape in a cross section taken along the axial direction. By bringingthe axial end face 16 of the outer ring 1 into contact with one axialside end face 425 of the annular protrusion 423, the outer ring 1 ispositioned with respect to the housing 410. As illustrated in FIG. 6,first and second external electrodes 460, 461 that protrude inward inthe radial direction are fixed to the inner peripheral face of thehousing 410. The first external electrode 460 is apart from the secondexternal electrode 461 in the axial direction. In a state where theaxial end face 16 of the outer ring 1, which may function as one member,is in contact with the one axial side end face 425 of the annularprotrusion 423, the first axially separated electrode 450 iselectrically connected to the first external electrode 460, whereas thesecond axially separated electrode 451 is electrically connected to thesecond external electrode 461. In the fifth embodiment, the twoelectrodes 450, 451 are apart from each other in the axial direction.Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the first axially separatedelectrode 450 and the second axially separated electrode 451 from beingelectrically connected to each other.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention,the sectional view being taken along the axial direction of the ballbearing device. Note that, in the sixth embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the sixth embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in the sixthembodiment, description of the same advantageous effects as those in thesecond to fifth embodiments will be omitted.

The sixth embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that each oftwo electrodes 550, 551 for a micropump of a lubricant supply unit 504is exposed on the radially outside of the outer peripheral face of anouter ring 501, which may function as one member.

Specifically, the lubricant supply unit 504 is fixed to the innerperipheral face of the outer ring 501. Further, the outer ring 501 has afirst through-hole 580 and a second through-hole 581 at the same phasein the circumferential direction. The first through-hole 580 and thesecond through-hole 581 are extended in the radial direction to passthrough the outer ring 501. The first through-hole 580 is apart from thesecond through-hole 581 in the axial direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the first through-hole 580 and thesecond through-hole 581 has a recessed portion, which is able toaccommodate the entirety of an electrode, at its radially outer endportion. The recessed portion of the first through-hole 580 is able toaccommodate the first axially separated electrode 550, whereas therecessed portion of the second through-hole 581 is able to accommodatethe second axially separated electrode 551. All the portion of the firstthrough-hole 580 other than the recessed portion overlaps with the firstaxially separated electrode 550 in the radial direction. All the portionof the second through-hole 581 other than the recessed portion overlapswith the second axially separated electrode 551 in the radial direction.The first axially separated electrode 550 is electrically connected toone of electrodes for the micropump by a wire extending through thefirst through-hole 580. The second axially separated electrode 551 iselectrically connected to the other one of the electrodes for themicropump by a wire extending through the second through-hole 581.

Although not illustrated, the ball bearing device in the sixthembodiment has two urging members (each of which is formed of a coilspring or the like). One urging member out of the two urging membersextends through the first through-hole 580. The other urging memberextends through the second through-hole 581. One end portion of the oneurging member is in contact with the radially outer face of thelubricant supply unit 504. The other end portion of the one urgingmember is in contact with the radially inner end face bottom face) ofthe first axially separated electrode 550. The one urging member urgesthe first axially separated electrode 550 in the radially outwarddirection, which is an example of one direction. In order to fix theouter peripheral face of the outer ring 501 at a prescribed position onthe inner peripheral face of a housing (not illustrated), the firstaxially separated electrode 550 is pushed radially inward by, forexample, the inner peripheral face of the housing so as to be locatedwithin the recessed portion of the first through-hole 580, during axialmovement of the first axially separated electrode 550 relative to theinner peripheral face of the housing.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in a section taken along theaxial direction, each of one axial side end face 590 and the other axialside end face 591 of the first axially separated electrode 550 is slopedtoward the center of the first axially separated electrode 550 such thatthe distance between the axial end faces 590, 591 is reduced in adirection toward the radially outer side. That is, each of the axial endfaces 590, 591 of the first axially separated electrode 550 is a slopedface that is tapered toward the radially outer side. Because the oneaxial side end face 590 and the other axial side end face 591 of thefirst axially separated electrode 550 are formed into the sloped faces,the first axially separated electrode 550 falls into the recessedportion by a radially inward force that one of the sloped faces 590, 591receives from the housing when the housing is moved in the axialdirection relative to the outer ring 501.

On the other hand, when the outer ring 501 is fixed to a prescribedposition of the housing, the first axially separated electrode 550 ispushed toward a first external electrode (not illustrated), which isdisposed on the inner peripheral side of the housing, radially outwardby the urging member. In this way, the first axially separated electrode550 is electrically connected to the first external electrode reliably.The second axially separated electrode 551 is electrically connected toa second external electrode, which is disposed on the inner peripheralside of the housing, by the same structure as that of the first axiallyseparated electrode 550. In the sixth embodiment, in the above-describedmanner, electric power is supplied to the micropump of the lubricantsupply unit 504 from an external power source.

The urging members are disposed in the first through-hole 580 and thesecond through-hole 581 in the sixth embodiment. Alternatively, in theinvention, it is not necessary to dispose an urging member in one of orboth of the first through-hole and the second through-hole. This isbecause, performing dimensional management enables electrical connectionbetween the electrodes of the lubricant supply unit and the externalelectrodes even if the urging members are not provided.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to a seventh embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device. Note that, in the seventh embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the seventh embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in theseventh embodiment, description of the same advantageous effects asthose in the second to sixth embodiments will be omitted. Note that, inFIG. 8, a reference numeral 601 denotes an outer ring that may functionas one member, and a reference numeral 604 denotes a lubricant supplyunit.

The seventh embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in that a firstcircumferentially separated electrode 650 and a second circumferentiallyseparated electrode 651 are apart from each other not in the axialdirection but in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, theseventh embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment in the followingrespects. The first circumferentially separated electrode 650 iselectrically connected to a first external electrode (not illustrated)disposed on the inner peripheral side of a housing with the use of afirst through-hole 680 and an urging member (not illustrated), and thesecond circumferentially separated electrode 651 is electricallyconnected to a second external electrode (not illustrated) disposed onthe inner peripheral side of the housing with the use of a secondthrough-hole 681 and an urging member (not illustrated). In addition,the seventh embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment in thefollowing respects. The axial end faces of each of the circumferentiallyseparated electrodes 650, 651 are formed as sloped faces.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a ball bearing device that is arolling bearing device according to an eighth embodiment of theinvention, the sectional view being taken along the axial direction ofthe ball bearing device. Note that, in the eighth embodiment, the sameconfigurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Further, in the eighth embodiment,description of the same advantageous effects and modified examples asthose in the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in theeighth embodiment, description of the same advantageous effects as thosein the second to seventh embodiments will be omitted.

The eighth embodiment differs from the other embodiments in thatelectric power is supplied from an external power source to first andsecond axially separated electrodes 750, 751 for a micropump of alubricant supply unit 704 of the ball bearing device with the use of aconnector (socket) 790.

Specifically, in the eighth embodiment, the radially outer face of thelubricant supply unit 704 is fixed to an outer ring 701, which mayfunction as one member. Part of a portion of the outer ring 701, theportion overlapping with the lubricant supply unit 704 in the radialdirection, has a through-hole 780 that extends through the outer ring701 in the radial direction. Part of the outer face of the lubricantsupply unit 704 is exposed to the outside.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an electrode structural body 740 is fixed topart of the outer face of the lubricant supply unit 704. The electrodestructural body 740 includes the first axially separated electrode 750,the second axially separated electrode 751, and an insulating portion770. The first axially separated electrode 750 and the second axiallyseparated electrode 751 are disposed such that the insulating portion770 is interposed therebetween in the axial direction. The first axiallyseparated electrode 750 is apart from the second axially separatedelectrode 751 in the axial direction. The height of the first axiallyseparated electrode 750 coincides with the height of the second axiallyseparated electrode 751.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the connector 790 has a recessed portion 741having a rectangular cross section. The depth of the recessed portion741 is substantially equal to the length obtained by subtracting theheight of the first axially separated electrode 750 from the height ofthe insulating portion 770. The shape of the recessed portion 741conforms to the shape of a portion of the insulating portion 770, whichprotrudes from the first and second axially separated electrodes 750,751.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the connector 790 includes a first externalelectrode 760 and a second external electrode 761. The first externalelectrode 760 and the second external electrode 761 face each other withthe recessed portion 741 interposed therebetween. The connector 790 hasan insulating portion 788, and the insulating portion 788 overlaps withthe recessed portion 741 in the depth direction of the recessed portion741. The first external electrode 760 and the second external electrode761 are reliably prevented from being electrically connected to eachother by the insulating portion 788.

The recessed portion of the connector 790 is fitted onto the portion ofthe insulating portion 770, which protrudes from the first and secondaxially separated electrodes 750, 751, so that the first axiallyseparated electrode 750 is electrically connected to the first externalelectrode 760 and the second axially separated electrode 751 iselectrically connected to the first external electrode 761.

Note that a reference numeral 794 denotes a cable of the connector 790.Two wires are disposed in the cable 794 so as not to be electricallyconnected to each other. Although not described in detail, a housing(not illustrated) to which an outer ring 701, which may function as onemember, has a through-hole. The through-hole overlaps with the electrodestructural body 740 in the radial direction of the outer ring 701 in astate where the outer ring 701 is fixed to a prescribed position of thehousing. In this way, the connector 790 is connected to the electrodestructural body 740 from the outside via the through-hole of thehousing. Note that, it is needless to say that, if the through-hole 780of the outer ring 701 is formed so as not to overlap with the housing inthe radial direction, it is no longer necessary to form a through-holein the housing.

According to the eighth embodiment, because it is possible to manuallyconnect or disconnect the connector 790 to or from the electrodestructural body 740, maintenance of, for example, the lubricant supplyunit 704 can be easily and rapidly carried out.

When the rolling bearing device according to the invention has only twoelectrodes, the two electrodes may be disposed such that none of theiraxial directions, radial directions, and circumferential directionscoincide with each other, the two electrodes may be disposed such thatonly one kind of directions among their axial directions, radialdirections and the circumferential directions coincide with each other,or the two electrodes may be disposed such that only two kinds ofdirections among their axial directions, radial directions and thecircumferential directions coincide with each other.

When the rolling bearing according to the invention has anodes andcathodes for supplying electric power to the pump, there may be two ormore electrodes that serve as the anodes, and the two or more electrodesmay be connected to each other by a wire. When the rolling bearingaccording to the invention has anodes and cathodes for supplyingelectric power to the pump, there may be two or more electrodes thatserve as the cathodes, and the two or more electrodes may be connectedto each other through a wire. As described above, the degree offlexibility of electrical connection with an external power source maybe increased.

Note that the rolling bearing device according to the invention may bemounted in any machines such as an industrial machine and a constructionmachine. Further, it is needless to say that two or more configurationsdescribed in the first to eighth embodiments and all the modifiedexamples may be combined with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rolling bearing device comprising: a firstbearing ring having an inner periphery raceway surface; a second bearingring having an outer periphery raceway surface; a plurality of rollingelements disposed between the inner periphery raceway surface of thefirst bearing ring and the outer periphery raceway surface of the secondbearing ring; and a lubricant supply unit having at least a tank and apump that supplies lubricant to at least one of the inner peripheryraceway surface of the first bearing ring, the outer periphery racewaysurface of the second bearing ring, and the rolling elements, whereinthe lubricant supply unit has one or more electrodes to which electricpower is supplied from an external power source, and a part of thelubricant supply unit is fixed to one member out of the first bearingring and the second bearing ring, and each of the one or more electrodesis fixed to the one member or the lubricant supply unit, in a statewhere each of the one or more electrodes is exposed on an outside of theone member or the lubricant supply unit, and each of the one or moreelectrodes is fixed to a peripheral face of the one member out of thefirst bearing ring and the second bearing ring, or an end face of theone member out of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. 2.The rolling bearing device according to claim 1, wherein: the electrodesinclude a first circumferentially separated electrode or radiallyseparated electrode and a second circumferentially separated electrodeor radially separated electrode; and the first circumferentiallyseparated electrode is apart from the second circumferentially separatedelectrode in a circumferential direction of the one member, or the firstradially separated electrode is apart from the second radially separatedelectrode in a radial direction of the one member.